The Australian Sikh Games are the premier sporting and cultural event for the Australian Sikh community.
They are held every year in capital cities and major regional areas around Australia.
The 30th Australian Sikh Games were held at Adelaide (SA), over the Easter weekend from 14th to 16th April 2017.
The games organising committee made a special arrangements for this three day spectacle of sport & culture, which was enjoyed by young and old alike.
The Games Adelaide committee president Mohan Singh Nagra told SBS that games were highly successful with over 40,000 spectators attending this sports carnival over three days.
“The attendees enjoyed over 14 different types of sports including Kabaddi, volleyball, netball, basketball, soccer, hockey etc. We are really pleased with the outcome of this successful event,” said Mr Nagra.
The opening ceremony was graced by his Excellency the Honorable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia, Lord Mayor Martin Haese, Russel Wortley, President MLC and Dana Wortley MP - Member for Torrens at South Australian Parliament, the representatives of state Liberal leadership, and the local dignitaries including Monika Budhiraja Kumar who helped initiate the partnership between Sikh community and the local government.
Opening ceremony speeches from Hon. Governor of South Australia, Russel Wortley, President MLC and Dana Wortley MP
Listen to Kabaddi coordinator Rocky Kaile’s full interview (in Punjabi) with Preetinder Singh Grewal:
Listen to Dasmesh Sports Club, Melbourne’s coordinator Kulwant Singh’s interview (in Punjabi):
Listen to Hockey coordinator Sukhwant Singh’s interview (in Punjabi):
Listen to Mehnga Singh Sangar's interview (in Punjabi):
Amandeep Singh Sidhu, President of the Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council (ANSSACC) shared a word of thanks with the volunteers, games organizers and all the spectators.
“We have a great feedback from the community. Everyone is highly appreciative of the arrangements that were made by local volunteers.”
“We had about 48,000 food plates in the 'Langar' that were consumed over three days. It’s a big number and we highly appreciate the tireless efforts done by our volunteers,” said Mr Sidhu.
Listen to Amandeep Sidhu's interview (in Punjabi) with Preetinder Singh Grewal:
